Bord Fáilte to sponsor Nations Cup

BORD FÁILTE will provide sponsorship for the RDS Nations Cup in 2003, Arts, Sport and Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue announced at the Kerrygold Dublin Horse Show yesterday.

The 175,000 sponsorship through Bord Fáilte’s International Sports Tourism Initiative will assist the RDS in the development of the Nations Cup into one of eight international Super League show jumping events.

The Nations Cup has been selected by the FEI (Federation Equestre International) to be one of eight Super League Showjumping events, which will be held annually from 2003.

Other countries to hold Super League rounds will include Italy, Switzerland, England and Canada. Each event will attract the leading eight national showjumping teams and will offer significantly increased prize money. Super League status and the quality of the competing nations will guarantee further international media coverage of the RDS Nations Cup from 2003. The competition will be broadcast on television worldwide.

Provision of sponsorship for major international sports events, such as the RDS Nations Cup, is in keeping with the objective of Bord Fáilte’s International Sports Tourism Initiative, introduced by the Government in 2000.

The initiative identifies and sponsors high profile sporting events that have the capacity to enhance Ireland's reputation as a premier sports tourism destination.

More than 65,000 overseas tourists engage in equestrian pursuits while in Ireland each year spending an estimated 38 million. Minister O’Donoghue said he was delighted that Bord Fáilte will sponsor the RDS Nations Cup. Securing Super League status is a wonderful coup for the RDS and Ireland and one that will yield immense dividends for Irish tourism.